Friends,
in the Gospel of Mark today, we see Jesus in action. We are reading
from the section of Mark’s first chapter that gives us a sort of "day in
the life" of Jesus. And it is quite a day! Our Gospel opens just after
the dramatic expulsion of a demon in the Capernaum synagogue. After
entering the house of Simon, Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law.
Notice
that he takes her by the hand and brings her to her feet so that she
can be of service. What does sickness do to us? It draws us in around
ourselves. Once she is cured, Simon’s mother-in-law commences to serve,
to be for the other. Then the entire town comes to his door. He spends
the whole evening curing presumably hundreds who were variously
afflicted.
Mark presents Jesus as a healer, soter, which just means "the bearer of the salus"
or health. In him, divinity and humanity have come together; in him,
the divine life and divine power are breaking through. God’s deepest
intentions appear—what God plans for us in the kingdom to come is now
historically anticipated.
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 307
Since the children share in blood and Flesh,
Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
Surely he did not help angels
but rather the descendants of Abraham;
therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,
that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people.
Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested.
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
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